Events Austria

 Agenda

National and Bank Holidays

1st January: at midnight, the Saint-Etienne cathedral clock announces the New Year.
5 January
Stelzentanz. Dances on stilts in the region of Salzburg to bring happiness.
5-6 January
Sternsinger. Children disguised as the Three Wise Men go from house to house singing hymns.
30 January
Schleicherlaufen de Telfs. Procession by the inhabitants of Telfs in carnival costume.
3 February
Wampelerreiten d'Axams. Procession of characters with their shirts stuffed with hay. In accordance with tradition, this is to ensure an abundant harvest.
6 February
Carnival of Tarrenz. Procession around the village to the sound of bells.
From 6 to 8 February
The high point of the carnival. Parties and processions all over the country to symbolically chase away the winter.


12 April
Easter Holiday. The most important Austrian religious feast is the occasion for decorating the tombs in the cemeteries, praying in the fields, and offering coloured eggs to children.
1st May
Malbaum (May Tree). Symbols of happiness and fertility, greasy poles are installed in each village.


22 May
Prangstangen. On the first Sunday after Pentecost, joyful processions on poles richly decorated with flowers pay homage to the splendour of nature.


June
Festival of world music at Innsbruck.




June-July
Dance Festival at Innsbruck.
25 July
Ranggler. Ancient wrestling tournaments on Mount Hundstein.




15 August
Religious processions in traditional costume for the Assumption.


26 October
National Holiday.
6 November
Leonardiritt. Rides and blessings on horses and cattle in various provincial towns.
11 November
Saint-Martin. Celebration of harvests with processions by wine-growers and baptism of new wine.
From November to February
Fasching (carnival) and ball season.
From November to December
Open-Air Christmas Markets (Chriskindlmarkt) all over Austria.
End of November
Procession of Krampusse from Embach (Hohe Tauern National Park).
5-6 December
Festivals of Saint-Nicolas with processions escorted by "Krampus" (little devils), choirs, and inaugurations of the Christmas Tree.
23 December
Christkindleionzug. Symbolic arrival of the Infant Jesus at Igls (Tyrol) with processions of cribs, shepherds, sheep, and groups of angels carrying candles.
25 December
Christmas.